Michael Shepherd is General Manager, London Hilton on Park Lane -a veteran hotelier with more than 30 years of international industry experience, having travelled extensively and managed a number of fivestar hotels across the world.
In September 2003 Michael was appointed general manager of the London Hilton on Park Lane, having worked for Hilton for 21 years previously, and most recently, after six years as managing director of the famous London Savoy.
Since rejoining the company he has overseen several multi million pound refurbishment projects at the London Hilton on Park Lane. These include the 28th floor restaurant, now called Galvin at Windows, and the new luxury suites on the 26th and 27th floors.
His efforts have earned the hotel several accolades including a final three shortlisting in the Enjoy England Excellence Awards in the Large Hotel of the Year category and winner of “Best Business Hotel in the UK 2008” by Business Traveler Magazine.
During his earlier time at Hilton, Michael opened the Hilton Lesotho, South Africa, as well as managing Hiltons in Istanbul, Corfu, Athens, Nicosia and Cairo and the newly opened Lanham Hilton in London.
Michael, for a time, worked in the regional team with responsibility for 50 Hilton hotels within the Middle East, African European division, where he was responsible for coordinating budgeting, capital planning and corporate development.
While at the Savoy, Michael oversaw the business transitioning from being a PLC back to being a private company, actively modernizing supplier relationships and hotel practices, as a result growing the hotel’s profitability by 40% over the most recent four-year period.
Simon Vincent, President of Hilton UK & Ireland, said: “Michael is an extremely well-known figure within the hotel industry and due to his excellent experience; he is a most valuable asset to Hilton UK & Ireland’s senior management team.”
Michael has been recognized for his achievements and holds the prestigious position of ‘Fellow’ on with the Institute of Hospitality, as well as a Master Inn Holder and Freeman of the City of London and also a Freeman of Llantrisant in Wales.
Michael is a Surrey University honors graduate with a degree in Hotel administration and currently sits on the advisory board at their School of Management. He currently resides in north London with his wife and their three children.